tabularasa_rp | [open] because i can only be me

[She takes that as a sign to approach, which she does, coming up right in front of him as her eyes roam over the sword in his hand. Definitely not a weapon that she pictured him using, if any at all, but she can see someone who knows what they're doing when she sees one. She's no swordswoman, but from one fighter to another...!]

I don't think that's odd at all!

[Tifa lifts her fists to show them off, slapping one gloved hand with the other, materias shining in the light.]

Whether it's fighting, music, or even mixing the perfect drink, I think it's important we all have something, don't you? Especially here.

[Things are getting old pretty quickly.]

[ There aren't really Eastern-style bathhouses in Midgar, which is why it's a woman who pokes her head in, blinking immediately in confusion when she spots a single, male figure soaking in the water. ]

Oops, sorry! [ There's a light giggle and an apologetic smile, but she doesn't quite go away. Instead, Aerith hovers with one hand and half her body visible at the door, seemingly waffling about whether or not to leave this guy to his peace, or to - ]

What're you up to? [ They haven't been introduced, but she's always happy to dive right into conversations with strangers. ] Does the water feel nice?

[With a bit of difficulty and tenacity, Blue had ventured down here a few times after Red's tales of the mysterious, wide marketplace in the basement of Mt. Silver; he had heard of the strange Smeargle-like Pokémon and wanted to meet and observe them. He'd in fact been doing some sketching of his own lately, inspired by the meeting with his (sort-of) grandfather.......]

[Returning on another of those trips, what he didn't expect to find with the pack of "Smeargle" on this occasion was Akechi, madly going at the canvas of a broad wall at the side of a marketstall, looking somewhere between vicious and exhilarated with the fun he was having. Blue stops and stares, watching for a few moments, and then scopes out the pack of the Smeargle, looking to spot one he recognized. You could tell Smeargle apart by their unique paint colors, amongst other things, and he spots one or two he'd met before amongst them, smiling as he now feels confident not to spook the pack if he calls out.]

Oh, Akechi-kun! [He brightly calls, waving a cheerful hand. The last time they'd met was at the party............. To Blue, all of that had been nothing but the kind of casual back-and-forth he'd forget about by the next time, nothing to hold grudges over or remain soured about, so there's no sort of apprehension in his body language that would suggest he expects Akechi to still be upset. As far as Blue is concerned, he's just greeting an acquaintance once again!] You're here, too? I didn't know you were an artsy type, hahaha!

Perhaps he simply means that with his presence, "beauty" has now arrived?

[Considering there's Akechi, the brains, Ren, the brawn, and now Leo... no, he knows that's not what Leo means, but in the aftermath of combat, the slightly-flirty comment rises to his lips more easily.

He snorts and shakes his head.]

Only joking, of course. While you have your hobbies, I suppose you could say that we have ours.

[The lighting might be dim, but he can hear the approaching footsteps. It keeps him from being too startled at the sound of his name being called, allowing him to turn and smile as if embarrassed to be caught.

One of the little paint-creatures slinks behind his legs to hide as the rest scatter a few paces away, warily watching.]

It's good to see you, Rinoa-san. For relative values of "see," I suppose.

[Upon closer look, he's absolutely got paint on his face, though miraculously it doesn't look like he's managed to get any on his shirt just yet.]

Did you have any trouble finding this place?

[Akechi was having such a nice time, and then some loudmouth had to go and ruin it. He pulls his brush away from the wall, takes a moment to compose a smile upon his face, and turns as if nothing at all had ever occurred between them.]

Blue-san.

[He notes with some surprise that although the pack rustles slightly at the intrusion, they don't scatter and flee. Perhaps Blue's already met some of them? Well, that's good at least, that they have some concept of memory. It would be quite annoying to have to befriend them all over again.

A beat, then he gestures behind him to indicate the splattered, chaotic mess of paint.]

I wouldn't say I'm artistically inclined, no, but there's something to be said for expressing one's thoughts in a concrete manner, don't you think?

Edited 2020-08-14 23:27 (UTC)

I don't got a creative bone in my body, but I've started out drawing a little since I got here too, [Blue muses thoughtfully, smiling as the brightly colored Smeargle gather around he and Akechi.] You might be on to something!

[Indeed, as Blue draws closer, he waves to one of the creatures in particular, and receives a lime green smear on his arm for his troubles. He takes it with a cheerful grin as Eevee pads over behind him on foot, giving a little trill of greeting to the pack, which seem to at least greet him in return.]

I don't think they speak Pokémon language either, but they seem pretty smart, huh? I think they can understand other species better than some of the ones on the surface. Humans, too, [Blue observes, letting some of the paint drip from his arm in a wave of it, like he's drying his hands of water. Little flecks of green fly off carelessly as he shakes- watch your nice suit, Akechi.]

[Well, the silence was probably too much to hope for. A beat, then Akechi tilts his head in a "come on in" gesture, smile rising to his lips.]

It does indeed. It's traditional to clean oneself before entering the bath, but I prefer not to shower in the dark. Thus- [he gestures to his feet in the water only. Way easier to just hose off his feet in the shower, and significantly less-vulnerable.]

It's... Aerith-san, isn't it? My apologies, but Ren told me a little about you. It's wonderful to finally meet you in person.

A... wok you can use for a hat?

[Well, that's certainly an interesting image. Not really his style, no matter what its use as a helmet. But he just nods at her assessment. The horrifying plucked-chickens-with-hands (as Diogenes would say, "Behold, a man!") are likely only the start.]

It's mine, [he confirms after only a beat of hesitation, flicking his wrist in an easy flourish. He'd considered lying, but there's the risk someone could call his bluff and claim it's actually theirs if he tried, and he's not exactly willing to part with it.] Though perhaps it's more accurate to say it was given to me, instead of something I'd have chosen for myself.

[He flourishes the blade again, taking a hidden delight in the way it hums through the air.]

You haven't trained with a sword, have you, Parsee-san?

Oh... thank you.

[He's admittedly a little surprised to be accepted to easily. Even the Thieves found his style of combat terrifying, and even if Tifa hasn't seen even a glimpse of his real power, he'd think the sight of the saw sword is scary enough. It's... nice, to be acknowledged for who he is, even in such a minor and unintentional way as that.]

But yes, I suppose you're right. Call me paranoid, but I can't help but think there is something threatening about the seeming lack of conflict here. It's best to stay on our guard.

[He nods to her.]

May I take it that you have some combat training yourself, Tifa-san?

It'd be a way to keep the wok busy so it didn't freak out at least.

[She grunted and shook her head. When he spoke of the weapon having been a gift rather than a choice, it made her think of items whose souls were awake yet again. Hmmmm. But it wasn't important in and of itself. The serrated edge definitely looked to be more than natural.]

No, I have nothing like that skill. Noble women only ever carried a tanto in my time. I haven't wielded a blade since back then. the claws usually do fine.

[ bahahahaha, what the heck. both ren and akechi are throwing him for loops here, with all these new, new sides they're displaying. not that they're bad things! they enjoyed themselves so thoroughly while trying to sTAB EACH OTHER and that's great!

ah, youth. ]

Wahaha! Don't just take it back that quickly! My heart skipped a beat, you know?

[ now he knows how ren felt when leo said he loved him the first time

except not really, he's just mckidding. speaking of ren, however, leo... hesitates on him for a moment, squinting. is there something different? ah, there is. excuse him as he also gets to looking around the area with no explanation, as the pieces settle into place and he realizes fluffy glasses coffee boy is simply fluffy coffee boy.

( surprisingly agile without glasses boy, too-- )

though that's not reason enough to stop speaking, and leo continues even as he carefully shuffles through the grass, scanning it: ]

Anyway, you guys are pretty good at that. [ there? maybe. shuffle on over to that spot on the grass and-- ] A little intense for just a hobby spar, I think, but that's not terrible!

[ he crouches down. when he stands back up, he sure has ren's glasses in his hands.

... and then he puts them on. ]

(He doesn't quite know what to comment, so he doesn't...? Almost uncapable of comprehending Akechi's flirting. 'Does Akechi think Leo thinks he's prettier than the both of them?' or something on those lines... Until Leo actually picked it up.

He frowns, which could easily be taken as a reaction to Leo's squinting and staring at him... And then Leo just leaves.

What gave them away on the intensity, was the fact Akechi was calling him Joker and giving his maniac laughs, or that Ren almost forgot that it was just sparring and was not concerned about being careful when landing hits?

Either way, Leo arrives back and he puts the spectacles on - pretty obvious the lack of corrective factors in the lenses. With a hand on his hip, Ren chuckles... And quietly hopes Leo returns it soon... Doesn't just forget and walk out with the accessory...)

Looks good.

Edited 2020-08-16 01:38 (UTC)

[Akechi laughs politely.]

My apologies.

[He doesn't sound apologetic at all, leaning against the wall of Heavenly Blanc and taking another sip of water as the other two root around in the grass. He remembers where Ren had set his glasses, but he's not going to bother pointing it out. It's Ren's responsibility to remember his own things, after all.]

Was it a little intense? [Yes.] I simply don't believe in doing things in half-measures.

Such confidence!

[The hum of the blade through the air is only matched by the hunger roaring through his ears, the noise of Loki wanting to rip and rend and mangle, of Robin Hood wanting to find and exploit weaknesses, to show off and win. It twists Akechi's face into a manic grin, eyes flashing brightly as Ren keeps countering his every blow.

He should be getting frustrated, but if anything, it's simply exhilarating to let loose. Finally, finally, and he laughs, a deep, throaty sound.]

You're the one person I refuse to lose to!

[Well, not quite an item with a soul, but perhaps it would be more accurate to say an item from his soul? Something formed from his cognition, replacing the Lumina Saber he wields with Robin Hood with a weapon more suited to Loki, bringer of chaos.

He flicks his wrist again, letting the blade move in an easy circle.]

To tell the truth, sometimes I wish I had claws myself. It would make things much more efficient.

[His gauntlets are clawed, but with Loki locked away as he is, there's no sign of his Metaverse outfit, either. That, perhaps, is a good thing; it's hard to act like a pleasant boy when the spirit of your rebellion takes the form of a suit bound with belts and armed with jagged, sharp points.]

Unfortunately, we humans have to make do with our own weapons.

(Delusional! Over his dead body Akechi is winning, and both know this is Ren's mindset as clear as day. It shows on how strong and unfiltered each of his moves are, even more so than usual due to the rags softening the blows. The grey eyes are almost on fire and his cheeks start to ache with their stretching to accommodate the (perhaps a little creepy) grin.

Ren attempts a mislead, moving to one side as to pierce Akechi's ribs - only for his leg to sneak between Akechi's own and pull. An attempt to cause him to lose balance.

When Akechi's back hit the ground, he joins, one hand gripping knife placed just under his chin and the other pressing him to the ground harder. Not that he would do anything with the knife, both of them know Ren is not exactly capable of doing such thing with absolute certainty, but it sure is an interesting sight to see Akechi's next move.)

Be careful.

[Akechi steps sideways to avoid Blue's paint splatter. He'd already taken off his uniform jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves to avoid getting paint on himself, but he'd rather not test to see if river water can wash out paint.

He can't help but be a little resentful that the little pack of creatures he'd assembled seem to like Blue. And Eevee for that matter. Typical that he can't have anything for himself.]

But you're right, they do seem rather intelligent. Tell me, can Eevee and Pikachu normally communicate fluently?

Fuck!

[The sweep works -- he'd never seen Ren use it against a Shadow, or against him, so he's not expecting it. The world swirls around him as he plummets and only barely manages to tuck his head to keep from smacking it against the ground. It doesn't stop the wind from getting knocked out of him from the harsh impact, and before he can stop him, Ren's straddling him, and on instinct alone, Akechi snaps his blade in.

There's a definite heat behind the feeling of the blade pressed to his throat, but if Ren takes a moment to assess, he'll realize Akechi's serrated blade is braced between them. If it weren't wrapped, it would take but a flick of his wrist to disembowel him.

His breath comes hard between parted lips as he glares up at Ren. His lips twist into a wide smirk as he defiantly tilts his head back to expose more of his throat; at the same time, he presses the covered blade up against Ren's stomach, letting him feel the potential danger.]

Dying on each other's swords, are we?

[Romantic.]

Yeeep. But again, I said it wasn't bad, so don't bother explaining yourself. And don't bother apologizing when you're not actually sorry! That's a half-measure!

[ says leo simply, sounding much more amused than actually upset. it's all in good fun, after all. just like fiddling with ren's glasses is in good fun too... maybe he won't get them back...

just kidding. fortunately for the fluffy boy, leo's moving towards him to hand those back. as useless as he knows they are now, they're still... ren's... and he's not really the glasses type.

he would've kept them a little while longer if they were amusing beyond checking if they were actually useful. that's definitely a thing that would've happened, because leo is terrible. ]

Here ya go, Ren. Payback for saying something nice!

(He had realized the blade was pressing on his skin the moment it was first placed. It did nothing to get him to back down - much the opposite. The stare he gives the other, locked on the reddish eyes, is provoking, almost an invitation for him to do it.

He won't.

It seems like Akechi was on the same wavelength, because here he is, offering more of vulnerability and acceptance of the blade. It's an empty threat to drag it down, the tip of the knife covered but Akechi certanly could feel the sharpness it holds while Ren places it right under the Adam's Apple.

Romantic.)

Isn't that how rivals die, after all?

(He laughs! God, he's having fun.

Psychos.)

It's a good hobby. It's important to have one here.

(Ren points at Leo as to make his words his. Don't apologize when you're not sorry is very much in Ren's book of values.

The glasses are back to him and he holds them up towards the light, an eye closed and the other squinting, just to check if there wasn't any dirt from the tree or whatever. It seemed ok to wear, so they're back to his face like they never left and Ren chuckles wholeheartedly at the comment.)

Edited 2020-08-16 04:10 (UTC)

[His breath catches on an exhale as the knife travels down his throat and -- Ren is toying with him, isn't he? It's delicious, even as he presses the sword more firmly into his stomach in retaliation. His smirk matches Ren's, then he laughs in spite of the blade at this throat, feeling it against his vocal chords.

After all this, hearing Ren still call him his rival? How can he feel anything but a rush of emotion, fueling his laughter.]

Suicide pacts aren't really my thing.

[The last word comes out as more of a grunt as he bucks his hips and twists his grip on the sword, using his weight, training, and the element of surprise to flip them over and reverse their positions. One hand traps the one with the knife while his other keeps the hilt of the sword pressed close to Ren's throat, serrated edges still hidden beneath the cloth but present nonetheless. His voice is barely above a whisper as he grins down at him.]

It's not wise to hesitate, Ren.

(He gasps in surprise, although honestly, he should have seen it coming. There would have been an attempt to flip the dagger, position it against Akechi's arm should the strength on his wrist not be tampering with his joints.

Instead, it's Ren's turn to tilt his head back, eyebrows raised and a (n adrenaline) blush on his cheeks. It is surprising that the rags kept the blades from cutting through so long, and while efficient, Ren can feel the cold metal against his skin and he smirks.)

What are you going to do about your own?

(Just healthy taunting.)

Smart mouth, [he chides, tilting the blade and rising it up, using the flat to close Ren's mouth for him. Oh, this is great. There's truly something to be said about this kind of power, even if he can't consider it a true victory. He allows himself to bask in it a little longer before he forces himself to withdraw, the sword at Ren's throat the last thing to leave as he rises to his feet.]

Still, I'll admit that this is a draw. You've improved since our last fight.

[He checks the wrapping on the sword, grin still curving his lips.]

It's too bad we can't go all-out.

[open] because i can only be me

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